A football team made up of Dads from across Salford who lost children will host a Baby Loss Awareness Game against Sands United in Stockport.
The upcoming game day on October 8 is described as “a day for all families to come together and remember babies and children they have lost.”
Salford dad, Olly Monk, is one of the 13 co-founders of Angels United FC, a football club for fathers who have experienced the loss of a baby or child.
Olly plays in memory of his two children, Poppy and Dottie who were born sleeping. He co-founded the team in October 2020, which currently holds approximately 50 members, most of which are grieving dads, brothers or uncles – with a number of these men from Salford themselves.
The club originally launched during the pandemic through attending loss support groups, and meetups began during Coronavirus restriction breaks. They made the decision of creating a football team because, in Olly’s opinion: “It gets us out and it is so much better for our mental health, it’s nice to have a kick about and talk to blokes who just get it.”
In honour of their bereaved children, the players’ kits are blue and pink with their babies’ names on the back of their shirts.
Olly states: “We play all over the country against other charities to spread awareness wherever we go.”
While they don’t currently have one specific training ground, Angels United FC are primarily based around Salford and occasionally other parts of Greater Manchester, spreading from Stockport all the way to Oldham.
They play every other week in friendly matches.
Angels United FC also advocate for mental health and many of the players use the team as a way to improve theirs.
The Mental Health Foundation found that those who participate in regular physical activity, have higher self esteem, and lower levels of stress and anxiety.
Olly continues to explain: “We waived fees this time last year because it’s a club no one chooses or wants to be a part of, but football isn’t cheap.” The club does not have a sponsor so they rely solely on donations on their JustGiving page or from fundraising.
Olly added: “One of the mums has recently done a 105km walk in 24 hours and raised over £2000… the crazier the better!”
Entry to the game day this October 8 is free however donations are greatly appreciated.
Anyone who has sadly experienced such a loss, or even those who want to find out more, are welcome to contact the team here.
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